The Evolution of Education Accessibility in India

Introduction

A century ago, education was accessible only to the wealthy, while the poor were meant to work for the rich, further widening the disparity gap. The worst situation was for disadvantaged groups as they had limited access to education. Moreover, the situation got out of hand in pre-independence India as accessibility to quality education was based on factors such as gender, caste, and socioeconomic status. 

Although India had renowned centres of schooling such as Taxila and Nalanda, still the educational doors were closed for them. The British colonial period saw some efforts to expand education, but disparities remained as they were deeply rooted in the minds of people, adjoined with social norms. 

What is Education Accessibility? 

Educational accessibility simply means that all students, irrespective of their social, physical, cognitive, and economic status, have equal opportunities to benefit from educational opportunities and services. Educational institutions are responsible for designing and implementing resources, environments, and teaching methodologies that fulfil students' diverse needs.

After the Independence of India, numerous efforts were made to make education accessible for all groups of people. After 78 years of freedom, the literacy rate of India touched 74% only, and although it marks a steady improvement, still we have to work tirelessly to achieve the goal of universal literacy. In this blog we will observe how education accessibility carved out over the years, leading up to the advancements we are seeing in 2024.

1. Evolution of Educational Accessibility

If we flip the pages of history to look at 1930, education could only be afforded by the elite and urban population and the rural and marginalized communities were involved in farming or daily wage jobs and had limited access to education. However, as the Britishers approached India they tried to reform the education system by establishing English medium schools but these were primarily aimed to develop a workforce for administrative work. They want to create a wide gap in the Indian education system by dividing the population into lower and upper castes.

As India gained freedom from British rule in 1947, the constitution was framed to provide equal rights and opportunities to all groups of people. In 1950, India led the foundation for the Right to Education Act by following the key provisions of Article 21A, which was introduced by the 86th Amendment Act in 2002. This act specifies that children ages 6 to 14 can access free and compulsory education in schools. Article 39(f) focuses on protecting children and youth from exploitation. As in the colonial period people faced discrimination issues, Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, ensuring equal access to education. 

Moreover, the Indian constitution Article 46 of Directive Principles of State Policy, instructed all the states to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections, emphasizing social justice and equality. These provisions collectively create an inclusive and accessible educational landscape in India. In 1968 when the National Education Policy came into force it tried to change the educational scenario but the proper implementation of policy was lacking, later on in 1986 NEP-II was launched, but still, it did not achieve any target due to lack of financial resources.

In the millennium era, integration of technology in education such as the advent of computers and the internet highlighted the digital divide, which benefited urban areas more than rural regions. To universalize elementary education and improve school infrastructure, the government launched Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Another stronger front was the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which focused on universalizing education by 2015. Afterwards, MDGs were replaced by SDGs, which underscored the importance of high-quality and inclusive education for all. 

The COVID-19 pandemic put the world on hold, but the adoption of online learning accelerated the educational system. The Indian government launched the National Education Policy 2020 focused on holistic, multidisciplinary education, increased use of technology, and inclusive education for all, including children with disabilities. Over this educational accessibility journey, the Indian education system has seen significant growth. Being the most populous country in the world, it has a large education system, consisting of more than 1.5 million schools out of which 68.7% are government-managed while 31.3% are private institutions and over 248 million students. This huge education system is efficiently managed by the state and central government with timely implementing policies to support the foundation of education. 

In 2024, when global institutions will implement the latest technology in their education systems such as VR, AR, and AI, the Indian government with NEP 2020 is showing its educational prowess worldwide, and today most of the institutions in the world are collaborating with India to make education accessible. The Indian government, leaving no stone unturned, raised the budgetary allocation by approximately 14% from the last financial year, amounting to Rs 1.48 lakh crore in the 2024-25 interim budget. This journey reflects a shift from limited access and colonial influence to a more inclusive and technologically advanced education system, aiming to provide quality education to every child.

2. Importance of Education Accessibility: 

“Education is a powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

                                                                                                                                                              Nelson Mandela

As education makes a person intellectual, it helps him to distinguish between right and wrong and also empowers him to change his life and make it better so it is crucial to make education accessible for everyone. It can narrow the gap between social and economic status and eliminate social discrimination. Accessible education empowers students with knowledge and skills and shows them the right path to achieve their goals to improve their living standards. The economic growth of any country also depends on human resources, as a skilled and productive workforce leads to higher productivity. By making education accessible we can create a creative, innovative, and technologically advanced workforce, who have unique business ideas and create new enterprises.

Society always creates disparities among men and women, rich and poor, educational accessibility is the only weapon to reduce this disparity and promote social equality. Educational accessibility ensures that all individuals regardless of their gender, social status, income, or disability have the opportunity to succeed in their life. So we can understand from these aspects that educational accessibility is essential for building a more equitable, prosperous, and healthy society. 

3. Accessible Learning in the Digital Age

On one hand, the COVID-19 pandemic shuts the doors of educational institutions, while on the other hand online learning platforms open new doors for opportunities. It makes education accessible for all by transforming the way educators teach and students learn. The interacting, engaging, flexible, and accessible education connected the students worldwide and removed the geographical barriers.

Students worldwide sitting in the comfort of their own homes can attend classes and learn new skills that overcome all geographical barriers. In addition, flexible learning schedules, immense course materials, and recorded lectures from experts at any time allow the students to balance work and study better. The digital learning platforms provide interactive simulations, engaging videos, podcasts, and reading materials which engage learners in a way that traditional approaches lack. For instance, Khan Academy provides free courses and materials for their students so that they can prepare for competitive exams without worrying about the high fees of coaching.

Another considerable benefit is the personalized learning approach, while traditional education methodology lacks personal attention, online learning provides one-to-one interaction. Students can ask questions, and clear their subject doubts in one-to-one sessions with educators. Some online platforms also use adaptive learning technologies, leveraging AI to tailor the learning experience to individual students. 

Moreover, online education makes traditional education more affordable for students. A student sitting in a remote village can learn from IIT faculties and pursue their dream of becoming an engineer. Recent news coverage shows how a samosa seller boy, by using an online learning platform, cracked the NEET exam, and also daily wage labour with the help of online coaching succeeded in the IIT exam. This shows that digital learning makes education accessible in the true sense, it narrows down the social and economic gap and strengthens the concept of education for all.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards digital education. Since 2019, online education adoption has surged by 150% as institutions are rapidly adopting online education to meet the growing demand. This surge in adoption has also improved course completion rates, which rose to an average of 60% in 2023. 

Global universities such as Alabama State University and Colorado State University launched new online courses such as MBA degrees seeing the demand for online courses. Institutions like Southern New Hampshire University and Western Government University have also experienced significant enrollment growth, further contributing to the expanding online education sector. Ultimately, Online education not only strengthened the education system during the pandemic time but also emerged as a modern educational system, which can make learning more affordable, accessible, and inclusive.

4. Online Educational Platforms are Changing Accessibility

Various online platforms are providing free courses for those students who can not pay high tuition fees and afford school expenses. Let’s see how these learning platforms are changing the education system slowly but effectively: 

a. Coursera

Coursera is a free online platform that covers a broad range of courses. Students can learn programming, data analysis, digital marketing, languages, and other various professional courses from top universities. After completing the course which can be short or long duration students can download the certificates for their future reference. These courses provide an edge in their career setting them apart from the others in this competitive world.

b. Khan Academy

This educational platform is setting a new example by providing elementary to high-level courses freely available for its students. Top educators around the world teach students the complex concepts of Maths, Physics, and Chemistry in an easily understandable way. Students can access lessons, video lectures, quizzes, previous years' question papers, and one-to-one interaction with experts.  Khan Academy’s platform also adapts to individual progress, helping students revisit difficult concepts and ensuring that learners can continue their education without the constraints of traditional classroom settings.

c. SWAYAM

The Indian government takes a proactive step to make education accessible and affordable for students. This online platform is making top universities costly courses free for Indian students. Students can learn 3D printing and designing, Machine learning, Superconductivity courses, Animations, Microsensors, and AI-related courses at their own pace. After completing the course students can download certificates to enhance their credentials.

d. edX: It is a popular online learning platform which is offering a range of courses from top global universities. The mission of this platform is to transform the traditional education system by providing free courses and making education affordable for all. Students can learn computer science, business administration, social sciences, public health, and more at their speed. It also offers certificates and degrees to gain valuable credentials.

e. FutureLearn

Future Learn guides students to complete their courses from top universities and organizations. It also provides accessible, engaging courses in various fields such as law, education, cybersecurity, history, healthcare and medicine, language, and study skills. They have both short-term and long-term courses and after completion, learners will be able to download certificates. 

f. MIT OpenCourseWare

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a highly reputed institution and is considered the top university in the world. MIT OpenCourseWare provides free access to a range of courses from MIT. Students can get access to lecture notes, assignments, videos, and exams and learn at their speed. This platform helps to make high-quality education accessible to anyone who wants to learn from renowned institutions.

Overall, these platforms underscore that education can be more accessible by reaching students in any corner of the world. By removing geographical barriers, rigid schedules, and financial limitations, online education helps students to achieve their life goals. Whether to learn new courses, gain a degree, or want to improve any skill, these platforms accompany self-paced learning. 

4. Self-Paced Education: Changing the Accessibility of Learning

Working professionals and students who are balancing family and work cannot enrol in regular classes. The traditional teaching methodology requires physical presence, timely course completion, and fixed test schedules that bind the students.

Modern learners look for flexibility and progress through a course at their own pace, the solution to this is Self-paced learning which adapts to the diverse needs of modern learners.

Key Features of Self-Paced Education

1. Flexible Timelines

The prime benefit of self-paced learning is the flexibility, as students can take their time to fully understand the course material. As students have their learning style and speed this mode of learning accommodates better and allows students to freely follow the schedules without any stress of deadlines.

2. Accessibility and Inclusivity

Self-paced learning is offered online, so it is accessible to anyone who has an internet connection. Removing the geographical barriers, students sitting in Kolkata can attend classes from a German institute. This makes learning available to students who may not have easy access to traditional educational institutions. 

3. Enhanced Retention and Understanding

In traditional classrooms, students have to cover various subjects in a day and they get very little time to ask questions to clear their doubts. Educators have to complete their syllabus on time so they cannot give extra time to discuss challenging topics. While in self-paced learning students can dive deep into the course material, as they have plenty of time. They can go through the content many times and see the recorded lectures to clear the concepts according to their need. This approach encourages better retention and understanding of the material. 

How Self-Paced Education Makes Education More Accessible

1. Cost-Effective

Undoubtedly, self-paced learning is cost-effective as there is no need to spend on housing, transportation, textbooks, and other expenses. Students also can save time and money making education more accessible. The reduced cost makes education more feasible for people who may not have had access to it otherwise.

2. Diverse Course Offerings

From traditional academic subjects to learning foreign languages, designing courses, machine learning, data science,  cybersecurity, and animation, self-paced education offers a variety of subjects and specialized courses that may not be offered locally. This allows learners to explore different fields and acquire knowledge in areas of interest, expanding educational opportunities to people with limited access to traditional educational resources.

3. Scalable Learning

The traditional classroom accommodates a limited number of students while self-paced online learning platforms can enroll numerous students. This scalability facilitates learning opportunities for a large number of students. Self-paced education is revolutionizing the accessibility of learning. This approach is empowering learners globally, enabling them to balance their studies with personal commitments and progress at their speed. As self-paced education continues to evolve, it holds the potential to further transform the educational landscape, making quality learning accessible to everyone.

Role of Government in Making Education Accessible: 

Obeying the constitution of India, the Indian government is committed to providing accessible and inclusive education to all Indian students. These efforts include the availability of resources, improving the infrastructure, ensuring inclusivity, and utilizing digital tools to overcome the challenges in the traditional education system. 

Here's how the government is enhancing accessibility:

1. Online Textbooks by CBSE

The Central Board of Secondary Education is interminably working towards achieving the goal of education accessibility. For this it is offering skill modules for students from classes 6 to 12, improving the educational infrastructure, and promoting online schools that follow the CBSE curriculum. Students can access the digital textbooks from the CBSE online library which includes books from classes I to XII in PDF format. This initiative allows students to access study materials anytime and anywhere, breaking geographical barriers and making learning more flexible and inclusive.

2. Rationalized Textbooks

To reduce the academic burden of students the CBSE has taken a significant step to rationalize the textbooks. This will help students focus on relevant subjects and produce essential learning outcomes, making education more effective and less stressful for students. By streamlining the curriculum it will ensure that the retention and understanding of students improve. This also encourages self-learning and peer learning in students and reduces over-dependency on teachers. Moreover, the revised textbooks are designed to align with the NEP 2020's emphasis on experiential learning and creative thinking. This shift from rote learning to a more holistic educational experience helps students develop critical thinking skills and prepares them for real-world challenges.

3. Accessibility Initiatives for Students with Disabilities

The students with disabilities are supported by CBSE through its several accessibility initiatives. They have developed guidelines to ensure barrier-free access to educational institutions also making their official website accessible to their students. The visually impaired students can use screen readers and other assistive technologies to access study materials, exam guidelines, and other resources independently. This initiative ensures that education remains inclusive for all students, regardless of their physical limitations.

4. e-CBSE Platform

It is an initiative to promote digital literacy as it provides access to CBSE textbooks in electronic format and materials for online classes for different subjects. It also provides updates and information related to CBSE exams, with results and academic calendars. Additionally, students can download previous years' question papers, study materials, and sample papers from tools available on the website. 

5. DIKSHA Portal

The Indian government has started the DIKSHA portal which has become a cornerstone to make education accessible for all. Students can access resources, exam papers, and textbooks and teachers can download teaching aids, PYQs, and lesson plans to teach students better. This portal can be easily operated through mobile, making it available anywhere. Now free digital content and resources are within the reach of each student in India.

6. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

The NEP was initially started in 1968 and after that, it came up in 1986 but both these policies were not successfully implemented due to lack of finances and support. The NEP 2020 has new possibilities and it is changing the educational scenario slowly but impactfully. It removes the traditional educational loopholes by changing the 10+2 system to a 5+3+3+4 structure.

The NEP 2020 focused mainly on the implementation of technology in the education sector to make a technically empowered society that can contribute to the economic growth of the country. Students will learn technical skills and polish their core skills along with focusing on academic excellence. The government is collaborating with top global universities around the world to make higher education more accessible and affordable for Indian students. The NEP 2020 seeks to ensure that all students, including those from marginalized and rural areas, have equal access to quality education.

7. Efforts to Bridge the Digital Divide

Students living in remote areas generally have less access to digital education due to lack of technological facilities. The government is working in this direction to address the issue of the digital divide by providing free internet services in public places, and mobile-based learning solutions.

Another effort to make education accessible was recently witnessed when Google partnered with NCERT to provide students, parents, and teachers with engaging, multilingual, and inclusive digital learning resources.NCERT will work with YouTube channels which will feature content in 29 Indian languages, making education more inclusive and accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. 

These all initiatives indicate a brighter future of digital education which in turn makes education more accessible. By promoting digital resources, ensuring inclusivity, and integrating technology into learning systems, the government is helping students across the country overcome traditional barriers to education. 

8. Challenges in the path of Accessibility : 

The challenges faced in making education more accessible in 2024 are significant and multifaceted. These include:

a. Digital Divide

Undoubtedly, technological advancement has changed the educational scenario but still, we have to cover a wide gap of the digital divide. According to a survey, 66% of Indian schools did not have internet access which led to a lack of access to online education. This gap is more visible in rural areas where only 15% of houses have internet facilities compared to urban areas which have 42%. This divide creates a disparity in educational access and opportunity, hindering the progress of students who need the most educational support.

b. Inclusive Education Practices

The traditional curriculum rigidity and standardized testing often limit the educators to provide specific support for students with diverse learning needs. These systematic barriers such as lack of proper infrastructure, lack of resources, nonimplementation of policies, and negative attitude of teachers and administrators block the progress of inclusive education in India.

c. Teacher Training and Support

The rapid integration of new technologies and inclusive teaching methods has created a gap in teacher readiness. Educators often need additional training and ongoing support to effectively implement these tools in the classroom. Without proper professional training and experience, teachers may struggle to meet the diverse needs of their students, limiting the potential impact of educational innovations.

d. Equity and Representation in Educational Technology

Ensuring equity is crucial when developing educational content. It is quite challenging to frame such a curriculum which covers the diverse needs of various learners. More inclusive representation in the creation of these tools is necessary to ensure that all learners, regardless of background or ability, can benefit equally from technological advancements in education.

e. Evolving Technological Needs

As the world becomes increasingly technologically sound, it is crucial to adapt according to the demand. Educators and students have to be up-skilled enough and they have the necessary resources to navigate new technologies. This includes managing the integration of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) in the classroom, which could widen gaps if not implemented equitably.

f. Cultural and Linguistic Barriers

Although online education offers global accessibility, cultural and linguistic barriers may prevent some students from benefiting fully. Courses may be designed primarily in one language or fail to accommodate diverse learning styles. Bridging these gaps through multilingual content designing, cultural sensitivity, and region-specific solutions will be key to ensuring that education remains accessible to all learners worldwide.

g. Sustainability of Digital Education

Educational institutions are more reliant on digital tools and this reliance causes challenges in maintaining and updating the technology infrastructure. The low-income or rural area schools cannot maintain high-quality online education, as the cost of internet, hardware, and software maintenance are unaffordable. Governments and institutions will need to find cost-effective ways to ensure the long-term sustainability of digital education.

h. Adaptation to Hybrid Learning Models

The hybrid learning model is the future of modern education but as it becomes increasingly popular schools and universities are facing issues to adapt the system. This includes updating curriculum delivery methods, managing diverse learning needs, and ensuring that all students receive an equal educational experience, whether learning remotely or in person.

These challenges highlight the need for ongoing innovation, collaboration, and investment to ensure that education remains accessible, inclusive, and effective in the coming years.

Conclusion

From pre pre-independence era to the independence of India, we have seen the evolution of educational accessibility, the efforts made by the government, institutions, and people were commendable. Undoubtedly, educational accessibility has made remarkable progress, thanks to the technology, online education, and strategic policies by the government which timely implemented. Digital learning has removed the geographical, socio socio-economic boundaries and interconnected the whole world. However, despite these significant transformations the challenges still stand in front of us, looking for possible solutions. The major challenge is a digital divide, still most Indian cities, villages, and remote areas are out of reach to access the technology causing a huge gap in education accessibility. 

Notwithstanding, global universities have taken proactive measures towards educational accessibility such as US universities creating robust online education systems and significantly investing in Edtech startups and online learning platforms. Similarly, the UK has implemented various initiatives to support digital education and accessibility by partnering with global institutions. India still has to work in this direction by investing in digital infrastructure, supporting EdTech startups, making inclusive education policies specifically for disabled and marginalized communities, and collaborative partnerships with global universities. However, in 2024 foreign universities such as Harvard University, Oxford University, Purdue University, and various other institutions are planning to open their campuses in India, making global education accessible for Indian students. 

The recent hope for education accessibility lies in the Education 4.0 India initiative, which is a joint effort between the World Economic Forum, UNICEF, and YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India) that utilizes digital and other technologies to address learning gaps and make education accessible to all. They proposed solutions that align with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Digital Education Architecture of 2021. Although initiatives like NEP 2020 and the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme are making education accessible for all groups of students. There is significant room for improvement.

By continuing to innovate and collaborate, we can build an educational landscape where every student, regardless of their background or location, has the opportunity to succeed. The journey towards truly accessible education is ongoing, but with the right strategies and commitment, we can make significant progress and ensure that no learner is left behind